What is the short-term exposure limit to a toxin?

The short-term exposure limit (STEL) is a regulatory term used to describe the maximum concentration of a hazardous substance that a worker can be exposed to over a short duration, typically 15 minutes. This limit is designed to protect workers from the adverse effects of exposure that could occur from higher concentrations of toxins during brief periods.

In the context of occupational health and safety, the STEL is especially important for substances that may cause acute effects after short-term exposure but are generally safe at lower levels over longer periods. This time limit allows for a brief spike in exposure while still ensuring that overall exposure remains within a safe range. The value of 15 minutes is widely adopted in various safety guidelines, making it the standard for determining short-term exposure risks.

Understanding this limit helps workers and safety professionals design protective measures and protocols for handling toxic substances, ensuring that exposure levels remain within safe boundaries during specific activities or processes.